A Tale Of Peter Rabbit...

This is a view of my flower garden... 30 years old and a pleasure. We have always had a lot of shade, but we overcame it, because of the huge variety of beautiful shade loving perennials available. I have vanquished the voles that haunted the garden for years. 

And so I feel satisfied.

Below is my vegetable garden... 10 years old, built by my talented husband with perfect drainage and good soil in raised beds.  It has never, ever been satisfying.

In general, vegetables require more sun than we have. Although I eke out some tomatoes and my sage plants are bountiful, most crops have been disappointing. 

So, I did some research and found that vegetables we plant for leaves, such as lettuce and broccoli rabe, are the best choice for low light. So, this year I gave up on Zucchini and stuck to the leaves with the goal of lettuce and tomato salads.

And peas, they recommended peas as well. 

I'm sure you can see where this is headed... 

I like to take my morning tea on my stroll through the gardens. I take note of weeds or bugs that must be dealt with and admire the dependable daylies and the roses in their hard won spots of sun. One morning, I was surprised to find that the peas, that had been very optimistically climbing their way up the pea brush, were eaten down to their stems and there was no sign of insects. 

The next day my son observed a rabbit in the flower garden. Oh no! we've never had rabbits... but then we've never had lettuce.

For as long as I can remember, I have sympathized with poor little Peter Rabbit, but the next day on my walk I noticed the beautiful mixed greens, with their shades of ruby and chartreuse, were completely gone.

Since then, I have developed a strong empathy for Mr. Mcgregor.

These are the things Peter doesn't like - arugula, sage, marigolds and nasturtiums. 

All good stuff, but not enough for a whole salad. 

Unlike squirrels, which can be very aggressive and nasty, rabbits are really sweet and unassuming... so this summer, I let him have his fill. Next year, there will be a rabbit proof fence!  And we are cutting down a few storm damaged trees, so there will be more light as well. I live in hope.

 I can't resist a teachable moment...

I  got going on a long planned little lessons project. I am passionate about children learning how to draw. I have decided to design a series of lesson packets that will enhance the NYS first grade core curriculum. Apparently, they will be reading The Tale of Peter Rabbit. Below is the first packet... It has 14 lessons, including rabbits and a farmer and a vegetable patch. Everything a student needs to illustrate a new story. 

I believe that everyone should be able to draw as well as they can write.

The downloadable e-packet below can be purchased here.

“Thank goodness I was never sent to school; it would have rubbed off some of the originality."  - Beatrix Potter 

 For more information on Beatrix Potter, who was a very interesting woman go here.